The soybean is an important food source that man has been utilizing since time immemorial. Because of its high protein content, low-cost, and high production, soybeans and soy derivatives ranging from soybean oils, soymilk, soy flour, soy cheese, to meat analogues like tofu and tempeh, are considered valuable products in the market.
Soy Usage
Despite its size, the soybean is a highly versatile crop. It can be the primary ingredient of more than a dozen food products, or it can be also used as an additive to several commodities.
This humble legume that is widely grown in the United States, South America, and Asia is actually a good source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, isoflavones, and antioxidants. Whole soybeans even have a high biological value similar to that of whey protein. For this reason, products containing soy is highly recommended for vegans and vegetarians who wish to limit the amount of meat they eat but maintain a stable amount of protein in their bodies.
But apart from its use for human nutrition, soybeans can also be utilized as a stock feed, a form of biodiesel, cosmetics, soap, crayons, resins, plastics, and clothing. This just proves that soybeans are an important constituent of many industries.
Protein Content and Allergic Reactions
Many food products that are good sources of protein can trigger allergic reactions to several people. Soy and other soy-based products are no exception, despite its countless use to man.
Soy allergy is a type of food allergy brought about by foreign proteins found in soybean. Some people have a hypersensitive immune system which makes them allergic to these proteins that is normally not elicited in others. In response to their presence, the immune system produces antibodies specific to these proteins found in soy so that the next time the body encounters them, it will automatically launch an attack against them. A number of chemicals, including histamine, shall be released to counter the soy proteins which lead to a cascade of biological events that result to the following symptoms:
1. Hives
2. Difficulty of breathing
3. Runny nose and sneezing
4. Cough and wheezing
5. Abdominal cramping
6. Nausea and vomiting
7. Light-headedness
8. Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat, and other parts of the body
9. Anaphylaxis
Soy allergy may begin as early as infancy when the child demonstrates a reaction to soy-based infant formulas. However, most children tend to outgrow soy allergies by the age of three. This allergy is not exclusive to children as some cases may persist even in adulthood.
Studies have identified as many as 15 possible allergens in soy that is said to trigger the allergic reaction. However, the exact mechanism on how soy protein may provoke allergic reaction is still not clear.
What Your Doctor Can Do
The doctor will need to perform tests and ask a few questions to confirm the allergic reaction and determine the causative agent. More commonly, a skin prick test will be performed using a lancet containing soy proteins or soy extracts. A positive reaction is elicited when the suspected person develops a red raised bump on the area tested. Blood tests may also be necessary to measure the amount of antibodies a person has against a certain allergen.
Once confirmed, the person is strongly advised to avoid consuming products containing soy. He or she should also be more vigilant in food products that may be contaminated with soy such as soybean oil, soy-based cream cheese, soy flour, soy-based infant formulas, soymilk, soybean meal, soy sauce, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable oil, and soy-based meat and dairy substitutes to name a few.
Allergy to soy products is considered as one of the most common food allergies but is also highly manageable. Mild symptoms can be treated with antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). However, there are also a few instances in which exposure to soya may result into a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that may possibly progress into anaphylactic shock. In such scenarios, emergency intervention is required. The person should be administered with epinephrine immediately. People who have a high-risk for developing extreme allergic reactions should be prescribed with a pre-loaded portable epinephrine at all times.
What You Can Do
All allergies are managed by strict avoidance of the offending agent. But because of the number of processed foods containing soy nowadays, patients who have soy allergies must be very cautious in choosing food and ingredients, especially when dinning out. Affected vegans and vegetarians will need to consult a dietician or a nutritionist regarding the replacement of tofu and soy-based products in their diet.
Soy Usage
Despite its size, the soybean is a highly versatile crop. It can be the primary ingredient of more than a dozen food products, or it can be also used as an additive to several commodities.
This humble legume that is widely grown in the United States, South America, and Asia is actually a good source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, isoflavones, and antioxidants. Whole soybeans even have a high biological value similar to that of whey protein. For this reason, products containing soy is highly recommended for vegans and vegetarians who wish to limit the amount of meat they eat but maintain a stable amount of protein in their bodies.
But apart from its use for human nutrition, soybeans can also be utilized as a stock feed, a form of biodiesel, cosmetics, soap, crayons, resins, plastics, and clothing. This just proves that soybeans are an important constituent of many industries.
Protein Content and Allergic Reactions
Many food products that are good sources of protein can trigger allergic reactions to several people. Soy and other soy-based products are no exception, despite its countless use to man.
Soy allergy is a type of food allergy brought about by foreign proteins found in soybean. Some people have a hypersensitive immune system which makes them allergic to these proteins that is normally not elicited in others. In response to their presence, the immune system produces antibodies specific to these proteins found in soy so that the next time the body encounters them, it will automatically launch an attack against them. A number of chemicals, including histamine, shall be released to counter the soy proteins which lead to a cascade of biological events that result to the following symptoms:
1. Hives
2. Difficulty of breathing
3. Runny nose and sneezing
4. Cough and wheezing
5. Abdominal cramping
6. Nausea and vomiting
7. Light-headedness
8. Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat, and other parts of the body
9. Anaphylaxis
Soy allergy may begin as early as infancy when the child demonstrates a reaction to soy-based infant formulas. However, most children tend to outgrow soy allergies by the age of three. This allergy is not exclusive to children as some cases may persist even in adulthood.
Studies have identified as many as 15 possible allergens in soy that is said to trigger the allergic reaction. However, the exact mechanism on how soy protein may provoke allergic reaction is still not clear.
What Your Doctor Can Do
The doctor will need to perform tests and ask a few questions to confirm the allergic reaction and determine the causative agent. More commonly, a skin prick test will be performed using a lancet containing soy proteins or soy extracts. A positive reaction is elicited when the suspected person develops a red raised bump on the area tested. Blood tests may also be necessary to measure the amount of antibodies a person has against a certain allergen.
Once confirmed, the person is strongly advised to avoid consuming products containing soy. He or she should also be more vigilant in food products that may be contaminated with soy such as soybean oil, soy-based cream cheese, soy flour, soy-based infant formulas, soymilk, soybean meal, soy sauce, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable oil, and soy-based meat and dairy substitutes to name a few.
Allergy to soy products is considered as one of the most common food allergies but is also highly manageable. Mild symptoms can be treated with antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). However, there are also a few instances in which exposure to soya may result into a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that may possibly progress into anaphylactic shock. In such scenarios, emergency intervention is required. The person should be administered with epinephrine immediately. People who have a high-risk for developing extreme allergic reactions should be prescribed with a pre-loaded portable epinephrine at all times.
What You Can Do
All allergies are managed by strict avoidance of the offending agent. But because of the number of processed foods containing soy nowadays, patients who have soy allergies must be very cautious in choosing food and ingredients, especially when dinning out. Affected vegans and vegetarians will need to consult a dietician or a nutritionist regarding the replacement of tofu and soy-based products in their diet.
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